Moody ready to drain Tongans

Tonga, who stand between England and a quarter-final place, have already seen off Samoa and America, while they were only a converted try away from stunning South Africa - and it has been the Pacific Islanders' pack has been key to those results, suggesting England face a punishing encounter at Parc des Princes.

Leicester flanker Moody, back for his first England start since the demoralising Twickenham defeat against Argentina 15 Tests ago, said: "The most important thing is we put our attitude, our mark on the game in the first 10 minutes like we did against Samoa last Saturday. It takes away their confidence, energy and enthusiasm - it drains them a little bit."

He added: "As a forward, you have got to work hard and wear them out. They (Tonga) are a big bunch of forwards, and you have got to make them have an honest day's work and make sure they haven't got all that energy to run around the park.

"Across the board, Tonga have got more talent than they've had in past years, and they are showing that with the way they are playing. They are not afraid to run from anywhere on the pitch, and they've also got a kicking game. There are a lot of areas to their game they can call upon.

"They are going to prove a massive challenge. Tonga have beaten Samoa and they took South Africa to the limit, they really did. I hope people don't think this is going to be a walkover, because it is going to be a really tough game."

Moody will wear the number seven shirt for a game England must win to avoid the ignominy of an early flight home. And the 29-year-old has plenty of personal incentive after missing last season's entire RBS 6 Nations Championship due to a shoulder injury.

He added: "It is just a fantastic opportunity for me. I have been waiting for this moment ever since I pulled my calf muscle before the French game (at Twickenham last month), so it has been a frustrating period of time sat on the bench.

"But you get what you are given in sport, and I have now got the opportunity, so it is great. Last season was fantastic for me from a club perspective. We were playing some of the best rugby of my career at Leicester, on a personal note and as a team. It was just a joy to be out there playing consistently week in, week out.

"For me, on and off over the last few years, it has always been a case of get a few games and then have an injury that will set you back a few months, and then you are always fighting to get back to form. I always considered myself a seven, but most of my career I've played at six. At the end of the day, I love playing the game - it is as simple as that."